Intellectual Property and the Judiciary Boards of Appeal
Intellectual Property and the Judiciary Boards of Appeal of OHIM (the future EUIPO) Prof. Dr. Alexander von Mühlendahl, J. D. , LL. M. Visiting Professor, CCLS, Queen Mary University of London Rechtsanwalt
The Boards of Appeal of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (ex OHIM) Overview 1. The nature of the Boards of Appeal 2. Functional continuity 3. The review function of the Boards of Appeal 4. The filter function of the Boards of Appeal 5. Some conclusions Bardehle Pagenberg 2/24/2021 2
1. The nature of the Boards of Appeal The EPO as „model“ Differences between EPO and EUIPO The judicial or quasi-judicial nature of the Boards of Appeal Bardehle Pagenberg 2/24/2021 3
2. Functional continuity between Boards of Appeal and the Office‘s decision-taking units (Examiners, Opposition Division, Cancellation Divisions, Register administration) Bardehle Pagenberg 2/24/2021 4
3. The review function of the Boards of Appeal De novo examination or „review“ Scope of review competence New facts and evidence Bardehle Pagenberg 2/24/2021 5
4. Filter function of the Boards of Appeal 4. 1. The case load of the Boards of Appeal 4. 2. The outcome of appeals 4. 3. The appeals to the General Court figures standards of review new facts and evidence new arguments/issues outcome 4. 4. The appeals on points law (pourvoi) to the Court of Justice Bardehle Pagenberg 2/24/2021 6
4. 1. Case load of the Boards of Appealable decisions vs. appeals filed (ex parte/inter partes) 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Bardehle Pagenberg 2/24/2021 2570 2622 2339 2602 3284 2611 396 / 2174 667 / 1955 644 / 1695 890 / 1712 1240 / 2044 946 / 1655 7
4. 2. Outcome of appeals (2015) Total number of decisions Ex parte Deemed not filed Confirmed Reversed in full Reversed in part Inter partes Deemed not filed Confirmed Reversed in full Reversed in part Settled Bardehle Pagenberg 2/24/2021 2911 1113 98 785 175 55 1798 110 916 329 182 261 8
4. 3. Appeals to the General Court Figures (new cases – ex parte/inter partes) 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Bardehle Pagenberg 2/24/2021 48 / 159 42 / 178 45 / 200 52 / 244 97 / 192 60 / 215 9
4. 3. Appeals to the General Court Standards of review New facts and evidence New arguments/issues Outcome Bardehle Pagenberg 2/24/2021 10
4. 4. Appeals on points of law (pourvoi) to the Court of Justice Figures (new cases – exparte/inter partes) 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Bardehle Pagenberg 2/24/2021 11 / 20 9 / 28 1 / 36 5 / 30 5 / 28 7 / 52 11
4. 4. Appeals on points of law (pourvoi) to the Court of Justice Standards of review Outcomes Bardehle Pagenberg 2/24/2021 12
5. Some conclusions The success story The shortcomings Improvements (speed vs. substantive and procedural „Sorgfalt“, transparency, Grand Board) Comparative analysis – EPO, CPVO, TTAB, PTAB Bardehle Pagenberg 2/24/2021 13
Information & contact vonmuhlendahl@bardehle. de Bardehle Pagenberg 2/24/2021 14
- Slides: 14